Boat Rental Safety
Every boat from Paradise Boat Rentals goes out after a safety video and a hands-on orientation with a licensed captain.
Boat Safety
A Safe, Easy Day on the Water
Good boating safety tips start before you leave the dock. At Paradise Boat Rentals, every rental includes a short safety video and a thorough orientation with a licensed captain, so you know your boat, your safety gear and the water before you go. Below is what we cover and a few things to keep in mind on the water. For the paperwork side, see our rental requirements.
Before You Leave the Dock
- Safety video. You'll watch a short safety video at the marina. If we're delivering your boat, we send the link when you reserve so you can watch it first.
- Orientation at the boat. A licensed captain walks you through the controls and shows you where all the Coast Guard required safety equipment is, including life jackets and the fire extinguisher.
- The map and GPS. Your captain goes over the GPS and a paper map: places to stop, eat and relax, where not to go, and how the tides work.
- Ask anything. First time driving a pontoon? Say so. The captain will go over how to drive a pontoon boat and how to dock it.
Coast Guard Required Safety Equipment
Every boat carries the Coast Guard required equipment, including a fire extinguisher and life jackets, which are free with every rental, along with GPS navigation and nautical charts. Know where the gear is before you need it, and keep life jackets where everyone can reach them.
On the Water: Florida Boating Rules and Common Sense
Tides and shallows. Much of the water inside the islands is shallow, and the tide changes where you can go. Stay in marked channels, watch the depth finder where your boat has one, and avoid the areas your captain marked on the map.
Manatee zones. Manatees live in these waters. Watch for posted manatee protection zone signs, such as slow speed and idle speed, and follow them. Slowing down gives you and the manatees time to avoid each other.
Weather. Check the forecast before you go. Summer afternoons often bring storms, and wind can make open water rough. If you see lightning or dark clouds building, head in. On multi-day rentals, the boat can stay at our marina when high winds are forecast.
Alcohol. In Florida, an operator at 0.08 blood or breath alcohol is presumed under the influence. Pick a designated captain.
Boating With Kids
Florida law requires every child under 6 to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway. Life jackets for children and adults are free with every rental, and infant and toddler life jackets are available on request at no charge, so ask when you book. Give kids a seat, keep hands and feet inside while the boat is moving, and bring plenty of water and shade.
Boating With Your Pet
Our boats are pet-friendly, so the dog can come too. Pets must weigh less than 50 lbs, and the pet fee is $35 per day, per pet. Bring fresh water and a bowl, give your pet shade, and think about a pet life jacket. Read our tips for boating with pets before you go.
What safety gear comes on the boat?
Every boat carries the Coast Guard required equipment, including free life jackets and a fire extinguisher, plus GPS and nautical charts. Your captain shows you where it all is.
What should we do if the weather turns?
Head back toward the marina or your dock early, before the storm arrives, and slow down in rough water. If you're unsure, call us.
Are there manatee zones near Cape Coral?
Yes. Manatee protection zones are posted with signs on the water. Follow the posted speed, slow down and keep a lookout.
Can young kids come on the boat?
Yes. Children under 6 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway. Children's life jackets are free with every rental, and infant and toddler sizes are on request.
Book Now
Ready for a Safe Day Out
Paradise Boat Rentals sends every renter out with an orientation from a licensed captain, whether you start at our Cape Coral marina or you're staying on Captiva, North Captiva or near Cayo Costa. We also serve places farther up the coast, like Englewood. Book Now, or call (239) 758-9512 if any of these boating safety tips raise a question.
Open daily 9am–5pm